NEWS

Recent news out of Thailand wanting to restrict tourist from getting buddhist images tattooed.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43249699/ns/travel-news/t/thailand-seeks-ban-tourists-buddha-tattoos/. Whether this issue is a question of being sacrilegious or an issue of human rights, tattoo artist speak out n regards to their government dictating which images are allowed in an official manual. Many cultures struggle with the line of separation between religion and business/government issues. Niphit identified six types of Buddhism-related images that must be banned as tattoos. 1) images of the Buddha 2) Buddhist prayer scripts 3) images of Buddhist monks & images of items used by monks: robes, alms bowls 4) Buddhist monk characters from films 5) Buddhist related buildings 6) The Wheel of Dhamma & the Buddhist flag. Other items also discussed were the ban of Buddhism-related items for commercial purposes, such as breweries, bars, restaurants, movie theaters, entertainment venues, gambling places, slaughterhouses and restrooms. Any merchandise should refrain from portraying the same religious imagery on alcohol, weapons, apparel, toilet supply, chairs and beds. Wow! Sounds like the Cultural Ministry has their hands full sorting through all their wish list of regulations. Hopefully the tattoo artists of Thailand can reach a compromise with their government on these controversial issues.   www.phuketmagazine.com/tattoo-artists-seek-compromise-in-religious-tattoo-issue/

(Tattoo partial image: Tattoos by Swarm @ Studio 21 Tattoo Gallery in Las Vegas, NV.

Phil Luck battles Deryk Engelland in the studio for his new tattoo. Luckily every thing went smooth and Deryk was pretty tame compared to the rink. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfrkcuV5a8k For those who aren’t familiar, he plays with Pittsburg Penguins currently and evidently gets the job done. Great having you in the shop Deryk and Go Penguins! Check the stats at http://penguins.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8468674

Mike Biggs is one of our artists at Studio 21 Tattoo Gallery who skillfully works in various art mediums including digital art. Mike’s art delves into the contradictions between reality and fantasy. Click on the link to see Mike’s time lapse work on a zombie buick piece and witness his illustrative technique.

With cannons exploding, beer flowing, aggressive ping pong battles in full effect, the “Salty Holograms” closing party equaled much success. Probably  the most interactive art show I’ve attended, Travis Jackson and Ryan Tino were offering the opportunity to blast off a custom made “faux” pirate canon with a chance to land the foam canon ball into an open pirate chest on the opposing side of the gallery. For every sunkin’ booty chest you were given the experience of screen printing a shirt of your own size and choice of graphic to take home. Black and white illustrations layered in a collage effect with vintage photos backed by hand painted murals and one off screen printed shirts, zines, and an assortment of other goodies lurked amongst the plaid and corduroy hipsters. Look forward to seein’ more of the guys work in the future for sure, the guys are always participating in Studio 21′s group art shows and fundraisers. Thanks for the beer n’ vegan pizza, count me in at the next event. Be sure to peep thehttp://twelve21gallery.com for futuristic good times next time you are in the Las Vegas Arts District.

Austin Spencer/Studio 21 Tattoo Gallery

Event: May 22, 2011 – “Heart Wars” @ Studio 21 Tattoo Gallery, Las Vegas, NV 6-10 PM- Star Wars themed art show, raffle, food trucks and Sailor Jerry Rum drinks. Throughout the night teams battled to see who could raise the most money for the American Heart Association. 100 % of money raised from art sales, raffle tickets went to the charity raising a total of $3460. Although Studio 21 Tattoo raised the most money, we turned the trophy over to the next highest fundraiser team, FUKU Burger. Many local, as well as out of state artist contributed really creative artwork of all mediums to the event. Costumed Star Wars figures were available for photos and the food trucks provided a variety of great food. The event was a big success. Their artist’s time and effort was greatly appreciated toward the cause. The evening was dedicated to a dear family friend, Holly Bayliff, who died unexpectedly at 31 yrs. of age from heart complications. This is a glimpse of some of the artwork, please visit our Studio 21 Tattoo Fan Page Photo Albums to view more of the art. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/